Happy 1/2 Birthday, Jackson!

Today marks Jack's 6 month, or as we use to celebrate in Kindergarten, "1/2 Birthday". I seriously cannot believe that we have enjoyed this little pumpkin for six whole months. We began celebrating yesterday with a trip to the Doctors for his 6 month well check..........and the icing on the cake (nice play on words, huh?)............ Jack's 6 month shots...BOO!  Good news is he only cried for like a minute, def. more tears than last time, but he did give the nurse a huge smile before she left....and then he went back to crying ..it was hysterical. Here are the "stats" on this little, or shall I say big, dude.....

Weight: 18.7 pounds...he DROPPED percentiles..he is now down to the 59th for weight. I can't believe there are 41% of babies in America LARGER than he is..he is a tank.

Height:...are you ready for THIS? I swear..the doctor said, "Wow...he's a tall one"... I shook my head like..did I just really hear that?...she said.."No, really..he is tall..he's in the 85th percentile for height"... LAUGH OUT LOUD. Luke couldn't make it to this appointment (he always gets out of shots), and I of course had to call him right away to tell him the news. He said, " I think they mixed up his height and weight percentiles"...haha! No, they surely did not. We MIGHT have a tall son - who would have thunk it!? He has been told that he looks like a linebacker more than once..sooooo..maybe, just maybe our little guy is going to have 3 of his Grandpa's heights on his side.

OH, and he treated US with a 1/2 birthday present...he slept through the entire night last night! Yeehaw...momma feels like a new woman!

one week

six months

"you and I...we go waaaayyyy back"

I'd say that he caught up to that BIG bear, wouldn't you?

It is too easy for me to write a blog about Jackson turning six months old the same week as Thanksgiving. This year, I am more thankful than EVER.

I am thankful for this turkey, and being able to wake up to his cheesy smile every morning...

I am thankful for THESE cheeks, which are just too easy to kiss over and over and over again...

I am thankful to have Luke home for yet another Thanksgiving feast..being able to see him safe and sound across the dinner table means more than anyone (except his own mother) could ever understand..

I am thankful for a husband who truly loves me unconditionally. Becoming a new mom has surely had its ups and downs, and Luke has been there with/for me every step of the way. Anyone who knows me, knows that I can be a basket case at times...add in sleep deprivation and postpartum hormones...and you know that I HAVE a saint of a husband.

I am thankful for our families, and the short distance between State College and Sayre. We will FOREVER cherish the past two years... being so close to home, especially these past six months. It has been so fun, and rewarding for Luke and I to see Jack with all four of his grandparents. It makes my heart melt to see my own parents love my child so very much, and I know Luke feels the same.

I am thankful for the Army and all of the opportunities it has given our family. We have made so many memories up and down the east coast. I am most thankful for the friendships the Army has "assisted" me in making. It's weird because growing up in a small town you really don't have many choices of who your friends are...when you graduate with a class of 73 people, you know everyone, and seem to have relationships with everyone in your class/high school... Moving around has opened the door to creating relationships with people that I most likely would have never met if it wasn't for the Army. By meeting new people and "choosing" new friends I learned a lot about myself, my values and the type of person I want to be/become, and also the types of people I want to surround myself with. Understanding what it is like to be an Army wife, and all of the goodness that comes along with that title, is one that can only be understood by a fellow Army wife. So, thank you Uncle Sam....

I am thankful for my little nephew Dominick, and my TWO soon to be nephews (1 might be a possible niece, but my radar is saying BOY) due in January. We might have a basketball team on our hands, with a possible cheerleader on the sidelines! It will be SO fun to see all these little rascals grow up together.

I am thankful for the experience of motherhood because it has made be appreciate my own mom that much more. The selflessness it requires to be a good mom is one that can only be understood once you become a mom. I mean, hello, I haven't had a manicure or pedicure in months, my hair is in a wet pony tail every day, my skin is practically see through and sweatpants are on this body almost every day. BUT, I wouldn't trade ANY of that, because spending time with my little guy is what truly makes me happy (although, a tan would be nice) ;) Having Jack also makes me appreciate the relationship between a mother and her son..I think there is something so special about that...

I am also thankful for (I have to throw this one in there before I stuff my face for the next 3 days) the hills in Bellefonte. I was NOT so thankful six months ago, because climbing those hills with 30 extra pounds of cargo was not fun. However, they have been fantastic for my post baby body. I am five pounds BELOW my pre-pregnancy weight...and I am really proud of myself! I think it is OK to be proud of that, because it was a lot of work. Jack and I have been running a 3.5 mile loop 4 times a week. When you add the hills in there...PHHHEW. Some days it took everything in me to get out the door, but there is something about a great run and fresh air that does the body/heart/mind good.

AMEN.

:) Happy Thanksgiving to YOU! XOXO

P.S- my grammar is horrendous in this post, I know...but, I am trying to pack this entire house into 3 bags to go home for Thanksgiving...b-u-s-y. :)